been bird watching in the cool Pines

Just spent another few days at our new little "abode" in Show Low.
We're enjoying the antics of all the different birds that we've attracted to our bird feeders!
We needed the airconditioning on for about 2 hours in the afternoon on 2 of the days.
On Friday nite we went to the community building for our 32 units in the over 55 RV section of our park -- to play Mexican train Domino's -- We had been invited on several occasions but this was the first we were able to get there -- we enjoyed it and it was a good opportunity to get to know a few others in our park.
The next morning (Saturday) - we met again there for Coffee and do-nuts - - and met a few more people.
The picture above is of two of our "hairy Woodpeckers" -- these are both Males we believe, since they have red on their heads. The female is really quite pretty, even tho' she doesn't have any red on her. :) I did get a picture of her also -- but 2 birds are enough!
It was very nice to be outside most of the time -- and tend to some flowers I've planted and take a walk etc. -- -
Now we have come back to Mesa and 110o heat -which today matched the record of 28 days of 110 degrees! We are still waiting for our Moving van with our "stuff" from Canada! Wondering if it will eVER get here!
Labor day weekend is upon us and I was hoping that we'd be "settled in" up in Show Low by then -- - for a few weeks! Tomorrow was the last promised day - - we shall see!

Welcome to our world and family - Eden Elizabeth Kellso

Eden Elizabeth Kellso weighed 8 pounds !
She is healthy - -and the family is so happy to have her here with us .

G.G. Papa and GiGi Joni got to see her when she was only about 2 hours old. We took lots of pictures - - and so did everyone else who was there to see her :)

Her Grandma Dara and G.G. Joni finally just had to open up the blankets and look at her chubby little arms and legs and make sure there were 10 fingers and 10 toes!

Her Be-pah Kathy and papa Rick both had to be out of town - but the were sent pictures right away . They would see her soon.

It was so nice to finally be in town for one of the Kellso baby births. !

Goodbye to grandson, Michael!

Mike with his 4 nephews -
Jonathan, Isaiah,Nathan, Noah




Grandma Joni-Michael-Grandpa Ralph


Bye Bye Dear Michael!
Have a great school year! We probably don't even need to tell you how much you are loved and how much and often , you will be in our thoughts and prayers! We can't wait to hear from you!
We send you off with our love and lotsa hugs!

settling in to a new chapter in our lives!

Coming down from our mountains- over the "RIm"
View from our porch-Show Low

While awaiting the very slow arrival of our "stuff" from our Round Lake Cottage, we're enjoying short stays at our new "retreat" cabin in the White Mountains at Show Low.


Just back from 3 wonderful days in the "cool" - - this picture to the right is a picture of what we look out at from our screened porch --and where we see the birds flock to our feeders. Retirement after all, is for such things as birdwatching, isn't it? We've seen one different pair of birds here , to replace the Pileated woodpeckers of our Eastern Canada woods -the Hairy woodpecker - whose male has a red head. We also have great numbers of Goldfinch, who love our niger seed! Nuthatches are here too -- so all of our momento's on which friend Sharon painted nuthatches, will feel right at home.
(When and if they ever get here!) :)


Bears have been visiting in our neighborhood - it seems they enjoy all the contents of the many birdfeeders ! I have yet to spot either of the reportedly two resident bears - - even tho' a neighbor reports that one of them walked right down the road in front of our place after depleting his bird feeders and leaving them on the ground. It happened at about 9:30 P.m. and the dog, Rebel that we are doggie sitting for son Eddy, was acting very jittery so I did look out - but of course looked towards the woods , NOT towards the open road! So! I missed him!


While I don't want to "encounter" the bear or have him invade our inside space - I would get a kick out of "seeing" him. :)

The picture above, to the far left - is the road coming home to Mesa , coming down from "The Mogollan Rim" and the mountains. I don't seem to have found the formula for putting pictures where I want them - - :) Would have liked that picture down here - but , oh well - it gives you a taste of some of our beautiful country here in Arizona.
Our new place can see a drop in temperature as much as 30 degrees in 10 minutes!! it's really quite amazing!
Anyway - we had a wonderfully "resting" time up there and now we're down here to wish Jonathan (Jenna's oldest boy) - a happy 6th birthday, and bid a farewell to 17 yr. old Michael, (Kathy's son) -as he leaves for school in Mississippi, and to await the birth of Jenna's #3 a little girl - which is imminent -and finally , to try to find out where our moving van of "stuff" from Canada is! We hope to retreat to the mountains for at least 6 weeks -- pretty soon.
Meanwhile - we are a bit warm here in the valley of the Sun , at 110 degrees today! But ! we keep comfortable INSIDE in the air conditioning and looking OUT at the sunshine :)